Safety Rules of Boston College
1) Wear approved eye protection in the laboratory continuously, even when not
performing an experiment. This means eye covering which will protect both against
impact and splashes. This is a state law. Do NOT wear contact lenses in the
laboratory. If you wear prescription glasses in the lab, you must wear goggles. If you
should get a chemical in your eye, wash it with flowing water from the eye wash for
15 minutes.
2) Perform no unauthorized experiments. Horseplay, pranks and other acts of mischief
will not be tolerated. No visitors are allowed in the laboratory.
3) To prevent fire, keep flammable substances away from open flames, heat (this
includes hot plates) and sparks. Do not place gas burners near wooden surfaces or
compressed gas cylinders. In case of fire or accident, call the instructor at once. Note
location of safety shower and fire blanket now so that you can use them if needed. If
the fire alarm sounds, leave the building immediately. Do not use the elevator.
4) You must go to the Infirmary, accompanied by someone, for treatment of cuts, burns
or inhalation of fumes. Your instructor will arrange for transportation if needed. Any
personal injury, regardless of how minor, must be reported.
5) Do not taste anything in the laboratory. This applies to food as well as chemicals. Do
not use the laboratory as an eating place and do not eat or drink from laboratory
glassware. Smoking and the application of cosmetics are also prohibited. Do not
touch your mouth with your hands while you are in the laboratory. Wash your hands
well before leaving the laboratory.
6) Exercise great care in noting the odor of fumes, and avoid breathing fumes of any
kind.
Keep chemicals in the fume hood whenever indicated.
7) NEVER use mouth suction to fill pipets with chemical reagents. Use a suction bulb
or pipet pump.
8) Do not force glass tubing into rubber stoppers. Lubricate with glycerin or water and
protect your hands with a towel.
9) Confine long hair and loose clothing when in the laboratory. Do NOT wear: opentoed shoes, nylon stockings or high heels. It is also recommended that you avoid
wearing short sleeve shirts, shorts and skirts. A laboratory apron is essential. They are
fire resistant and protect you and your clothing from corrosive chemicals. Wear
gloves when working with corrosive or toxic chemicals. Gloves should be removed if
you need to leave the laboratory (to go to the stockroom, for instance).
10) Never work in the laboratory alone or without the presence of a supervising
instructor.
11) Never leave heated laboratory reactions unattended. Beware of hot glass. It cools
slowly and is identical in appearance to cold glass. Always use the proper
equipment when handling hot glass (tongs, insulated gloves, etc.).
12) Clean-up broken glass immediately with a dust pan and brush, and dispose of it in
the proper waste box. Handle broken glassware with a towel or thick gloves. Glass
tubing and rods must be fire polished. Do not subject a flask to sudden changes in
temperature.
13) Keep your work space uncluttered. Do not place coats, purses, or backpacks on the
laboratory bench or in the aisles—use the locker room located at the end of the
hallway to store these items. Keep drawers and cabinet doors closed while working.
Do not place chemicals or equipment on the floor. Do not leave pipets sticking out
of bottles, flasks or beakers.
14) Assemble all required materials before beginning a task. Place glassware and
equipment well back from the front edge of the lab bench.
15) Mercury is toxic. Call your instructor whenever a mercury thermometer is broken so
that he/she can take charge of the clean-up.
16) Dispose of chemical wastes only as instructed. Never mix acid waste with organic
waste.
17) Clean up all chemical spills at once. Acid spills should be neutralized with sodium
bicarbonate. Plenty of running water is the best first-aid treatment for all chemical
spills to the skin, clothing and lab bench. If a large amount of corrosive material is
spilled on clothing, remove at once and use safety shower. Notify your instructor.
18) Do not "dry sweep" spilled solid material. Cover the solid with wet paper towels,
and pick up the material. If the material is hazardous, dispose of the towels as a
hazardous waste. Clean the area with soap and water.
19) Always add acid to water; never water to acid. Use care and mix slowly.
20) Avoid slipping hazards by picking up ice, stoppers, glass rods and other small
objects from the floor.
21) Radios are a distraction and therefore are not allowed in the undergraduate labs.
22) Do not handle electrical equipment with wet hands, while standing in water or
leaning against a metal object or pipeline. Keep cords away from cabinets or
drawers.
23) Never remove chemicals from the laboratory.
24) Be alert to unsafe conditions, and report them to the supervisor so that corrective
action will be taken.
25) Clean up lab bench area at the end of lab period. Do not leave contaminated or dirty
glassware or tools in the work area.
Prevent accidents by using common sense and being well-informed. Read each
experiment thoroughly before coming to the laboratory and follow directions
carefully.
Your instructor will inform you weekly of specific safety hazards in each
experiment. Pay strict attention to these warnings in addition to the above rules.